Question

Rising inventories, when unaccompanied correspondingly by increases in sales, can lead to production cutbacks that would hamper economic growth.

• A. when unaccompanied correspondingly by increases in sales, can lead
• B. when not accompanied by corresponding increases in sales, possibly leads
• C. when they were unaccompanied by corresponding sales increases, can lead
• D. if not a ccompanied by correspondingly increased sales, possibly leads
• E. if not accompanied by corresponding increases in sales, can lead

Answer 1

The correct option is E if not accompanied by corresponding increases in sales, can lead

E is the only option that fits the context here. Due to the use of 'unaccompanied correspondingly', option A seems ambiguous. In option B, the use of 'when' and 'possibly leads' do not go together- 'when' signifies a given time, a certainty, whereas 'possibly' implies an uncertainty. In option C, 'were accompanied' and 'can lead' are two different tenses that do not work occur in one sentence at the same time. In option D, 'correspondingly increased sales' does not sound correct. Thus, option E is the correct choice- 'non-accompanied' is preferable to 'unaccompanied', 'corresponding' modifies 'increases in sales'.